Frank Mantooth - Ladies Sing For Lovers

Bitrate: MP3@320K/s
Time: 62:23
Size: 142.8 MB
Styles: Swing, Jazz vocals
Year: 2005
Art: Front

[5:14] 1. If You Could See Me Now (With Karrin Allyson)
[4:48] 2. When Did You Leave Heaven (With Kristen Gustafson)
[5:14] 3. You'll See (With Paula West)
[4:50] 4. You Don't Know What Love Is (With Sunny Wilkinson)
[4:59] 5. It Never Entered My Mind (With Jay Clayton)
[4:50] 6. Good Morning Heartache (With Margaret Carlson)
[4:28] 7. My Heart Won't Lie (With Oleta Adams)
[5:59] 8. Imagination (With Rebecca Parris)
[5:22] 9. Why Stars Come Out At Night (With Stacy Rowles)
[4:52] 10. Ballad Of The Sad Young Men (With Sheila Jordan)
[5:41] 11. The Nearness Of You You're Nearer (With Anne Hampton Callaway)
[5:59] 12. I Got It Bad And That Aint' Good (With Diane Schuur)

The late Frank Mantooth was best known for his swinging big-band arrangements. For what would be his final major project, Mantooth arranged a dozen love songs for a string orchestra, featuring 12 talented female jazz singers on a tune apiece. The results are rather light on jazz with just occasional brief solos, usually from saxophonist Kim Park, and not much improvising from the singers. The vocalists generally stick close to the melodies while the strings and horns play unadventurous parts. Due to the quality of the singers, some of the performances are touching, particularly Karrin Allyson on "If You Could See Me Now," Margaret Carlson on "Good Morning Heartache," and Rebecca Parris during "Imagination," while Diane Schuur's wide range and powerful voice rather overwhelm "I Got It Bad (And That Ain't Good)." But overall, this ambitious outing is much safer than expected and a slight disappointment. Considering the singers, Mantooth's abilities, and the excellent musicians, one would expect more surprises and adventure. ~Scott Yanow

Ladies Sing For Lovers

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Gary Burton, Rebecca Parris - It's Another Day

Styles: Vocal And Vibraphone Jazz
Year: 1993
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 63:33
Size: 146,1 MB
Art: Front

(3:57)  1. Good Enough
(4:54)  2. A Deeper Dream
(4:55)  3. Emerald Mist (It's Another Day)
(5:53)  4. The Melody Is You
(4:35)  5. Our Love Is Here To Stay
(6:34)  6. Let the Flower Grow
(5:15)  7. Forest of Dreams
(6:22)  8. If The Moon Turns Green
(5:19)  9. Au Privave
(4:23) 10. Fire in the Forest
(4:52) 11. Solitude
(6:28) 12. We Can Try Love Again

Although vibraphonist Gary Burton gets top billing, this CD is actually a showcase for vocalist Rebecca Paris. 

The material is dominated by newer "contemporary" songs and pop tunes; every song except the closing voice-vibes duet is given a routine funk rhythm. ~ Scott Yanow  http://www.allmusic.com/album/its-another-day-mw0000108588

Personnel: Gary Burton (vibraphone); Rebecca Parris (vocals); Tommy Kamp (vocals, violin); Alan Pasqua (piano, keyboards); Chuck Loeb (guitar); Will Lee (bass, percussion); Peter Erskine (drums, percussion).

It's Another Day

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Rebecca Parris - My Foolish Heart

Styles: Vocal
Year: 2001
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 61:30
Size: 141,1 MB
Art: Front

(7:33)  1. My Foolish Heart
(8:37)  2. The Shadow of Your Smile
(5:36)  3. Lover Man
(6:04)  4. Yesterday I Heard the Rain
(5:33)  5. Never Let Me Go
(6:00)  6. When October Goes
(7:50)  7. Body and Soul
(8:18)  8. Crazy He Calls Me
(5:54)  9. If You Could See Me Now

Rebecca Parris gives a masters class in singing ballads very slow and very well. Miles Davis once heard Shirley Horn perform a ballad that had been in his band's book for many years. He said in that sandpaper voice of his, "Man, you sing that so slow." On My Foolish Heart, Boston-native Rebecca Parris, provides nine studies in the slow ballad, all sung with a voice that is quite unforgettable.  Ms. Parris' voice is deep, not unlike that of actress Kathleen Turner (whom she also physically resembles). It is smoothly resonant reminding me of Johnny Hodges playing alto in the low register. In the jazz vocals realm, her voice most closely resembles Shirley Horn's, sans the cigarettes and 40 years experience (not implying that Ms. Parris is any kind of vocal slouch). Ms. Parris' selection of ballads is predictable, but her capability and delivery are not. She basically deconstructs and then reconstructs "Lover Man" and her "Body and Soul" reveals what Coleman Hawkin's must have been thinking during his solo of his 1939 recording of the same.

Ms. Parris' phrasing is perfectly elastic without being brassy. Her dynamic range and ear are sure. "Crazy He Calls Me" is taken at a very slow tempo, effectively conveying a tired sardonic sarcasm rather than defeat. The disc highlight is the closer, Tadd Dameron's "If Your could See Me Now." This piece death-defying in its tempo and is sung by Ms. Parris beautifully. Her support is tasteful with little soloing, choosing instead to showcase her considerable talent. John Mayall once remarked that the hardest music to play was a slow blues. I amend that to include the slow jazz ballad and Rebecca Parris performs them effortlessly. ~ C.Michael Bailey  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/my-foolish-heart-rebecca-parris-koch-international-jazz-review-by-c-michael-bailey.php 
 

Personnel:  Rebecca Parris: Vocals;  George Mesterhazy: Guitar, Keyboards;  Scott Steed: Bass; Matt Gordy: Drums;  Paul McWilliams: Piano.

My Foolish Heart

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